Apparatus for handling and developing photographic film



May 20, 1941- J. A. REYNIERS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM Filed June 27. 1938 INVENTOR. JAM/F15 4. Ei-r/v/i-es.

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ATTORNEY}.

Patented May 20, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DEVELOP- ING PHOTOGRAPH? FILM James A. lteyniers, South Bend. Ind.

Application June 27, 1938, Serial No. 216,042

1 Claim.

' available to amateurs, have various objections and limitations which make good results dimcult of obtainment. First among these objections is the necessity of handling the film, with resultant likelihood and possibility of injury to the film. Another objection is difliculty of operation and loss of chemicals. Of equal importance is the fact that the precision and clarity of the film development depends almost entirely upon personal skill, aptitude and experience.

The primary object of this invention is to provide simple apparatus for this purpose which eliminates personal skill as the principal requisite for good results.

A further object is to provide a device wherein film may be automatically treated in the entire process without handling thereof.

A further object is to provide a novel method for developing a film.

A further object is to provide simple apparatus by which film may be developed, fixed. washed and dried without handling.

A further object is to provide apparatus for this purpose comprising a film container with suitable filters and attachments for supplying and exhausting liquids and air thereto in a thoroughly controlled and convenient manner.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claim.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus in condition for developing or fixing operations.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a fitting for use in washing film.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of a cover for use in drying or washing film.

Fig. 4 is a reduced assembled elevation of the parts for film drying purposes with a conventional fan.

Fig. 5 is a reduced assembled elevation of the parts for film drying purposes with an air blower.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates one embodiment of the invention. the numeral il designates a cylindrical metal container which preferably has a circumferential inwardly off-set groove ll formed adjacent one end thereof. A plane outwardly projecting flange i2 is preferably formed at one end of container II. A

suitable annular frame 13 rests upon groove H and mounts a filter I such as fine mesh wire screen. A suitable holder l5, here shown as a spiral reel for holding the convolutions of film 5. in spaced relation, but which may also constitute a rack for holding separate film pieces spaced apart, rests upon filter and frame l2-il and is loose in the container. A cover ii is mounted on the upper end of container ill with its marginal flange ll fitting snugly therearound or having a screw-threaded connection therewith, as desired. A wide rubber band ll fitting around the container and cover fiange at the joint therebetween serves to seal the margin of the cover. Cover I6 is preferably provided with a central aperture defined by a cylindrical margin flange ll adapted to seat a cap 20 for sealing said aperture.

A bottom plate 2| is mounted on the lower end of the container, having a marginal fiange 22 fitting in the container to form a liquid-tight seal, said fit being optionally a slip-fit or screw threaded. An aperture 23 is provided in the center of plate 2|. A collar 24 is fixedly carried by the plate 2i at its outer side, and is preferably internally screw threaded and of larger diameter than aperture 23. An annular gasket 25 fits in the collar at its inner end. A plate 21 is mounted on bottom plate 2i in spaced parallel relation thereto by means of spaced supports 20, said plate 21 being positioned below the plane oi the edge of marginal flange 22, and being of a size smaller than the diameter of flange 22 and peripherally spaced therefrom.

The method of developing film with this device is as follows: The film is wound upon reel It or otherwise suitably supported with all adjacent surfaces thereof spaced apart, and is inserted in container ll. Cover I6 is then sealed on the container, the bottom plate 2i having previously been sealed thereon. A screw top bottle 2! containing a developing solution is then threaded on collar 24, on bottom plate 2|. The assembly is then inverted, allowing the bottle to empty into the container and fill the same to the desired level for the purpose of fully acting upon the entire film. When the development is completed, the device is returned to normal position, permltting all of the liquid to be collected in the bottle, so that none of the liquid is lost. The bottle containing the developing liquid is then removed and another containing fixing fluid is connected in its place. The inverting operation to fill the container, and then re-collect the liquid in the bottle is then repeated. In carrying out both of these steps, it will be noted that filter |4 prevents foreign matter from passing into the container to contact and scratch the film. Likewise, plate 21 forms a positive light shield or baiile to prevent harmful light action on the film.

After the film has been developed and fixed as above, it is next washed. For this purpose a fitting 30, as illustrated in Fig. 2, is threaded in collar 24. Fitting 30 comprises an externally screw threaded cylindrical body 3| open at one end and closed at its opposite end. An internally screw threaded cylindrical projection 32 projects from the body 3| at the closed end thereof. A tubular member 33 is screw threaded in cylindrical portion 32, and-forms means for connection with a suitable water supply conduit (not shown). A ring insert 34 is mounted at a stepped enlarged portion at the open end of body 3| and serves to mount a filter 35 therein. When the parts are suitably connected for water supply, the

cap is removed from the cover IE or cover I6 I is entirely removed. The water is then turned on, passes upwardly through the filters and i4 and the container to be discharged through the cover aperture.

When the washing operation is completed, cover i6 is preferably replaced by a cover 36 as illustrated in Fig, 3, which may also be used for the washing operation if desired. Cover 36 is provided with a large number of apertures 31 to minimize impedance to passage of water or air therethrough. Drying may be performed with apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 or that of Fig. 5. In the use of a conventional electric fan 40 having fan blades 4| within wire blade guard 42, the bottom 2| is first removed from container l0. The container is then seated on guard 42, and elongated coil springs 43 are connected at one end to container flange l2 and at the other end to the guard 42 to hold the container in in place. The fan may then be operated until the film is completely dried, the filter l4 again serving to prevent entry of foreign matter into the container and against the film. An optional method of drying the film is illustrated in Fig. 5, and involves the use of the bottom plate 2| or one similar thereto in all respects except that plate 21 is eliminated. A conventional air blower 45 is connected to the collar 24 of this bottom plate, and the dim is dried by the air circulation through container The advantages of the construction and the method are believed plain from the above. First among them is the elimination of all handling of the film from the time it is inserted in the container before any operation is performed thereon until it is removed fully developed, washed and dried. All personal factors are eliminated from the result, so that lack of experience is no obstacle to successful results. None of the developing or fixing liquid is spilled or lost; nor can any dirt particles or foreign matter reach the film to mar it. Light is fully excluded during the period when the film remains sensitive to light, without handicapping the operator in performing the work. These and other advantages render the apparatus well suited for its purpose, and the construction eliminates all disadvantages heretofore experienced with conventional, inexpensive apparatus for use by amateurs,

I claim:

A film developing device adapted to be detachably attached to the outlet of a developing solution receptacle and to receive solution thereof when the device is inverted while attached to the receptacle, said comprising a casing, a removable closure for the upper end of the casing, a removable closure for the lower end of the casing, a flanged opening in said last named closure and adapted to be detachably connected on said receptacle over said outlet, a film holding rack within the casing, a light excluding plate smaller than the interior diameter of the casing carried by the lower closure in spaced relation thereto within the casing above the flanged opening and forming a solution passage adjacent the casing wall and a light excluding means for the flanged opening when the developing device is removed from the receptacle.

JAMES A. REYNIERS. 

